Explicit Arches
While I have not posted too many moths lately, I have kept on mothing, as a young Roger Tory Peterson did, throughout the summer. It is time consuming to go through the photos that I take of what I find at my lights, especially when trying to identify eight or ten or more new species. Every couple of weeks there are different species occurring as flight seasons shift through the year. Some of that identification is going to have to wait for the winter. Nevertheless, I discovered this outrageously cool individual last night that I had to share now. Naturally it was on a shutter on the side of...
Read MoreMonarch Caterpillar
Here we have a case of the disappearing leaf. The culprit is not too hard to find, and easy enough to identify. This Monarch butterfly caterpillar (Danaus plexippus) is chowing down on swamp milkweed leaves in the bright afternoon sun. Sensational!
Read MoreMore Monarchs
Monarch migration season is heating up! Having an office at likely the best site in all of Connecticut for the species, and one of the best across the Northeast region – Stratford Point – really helps to give us a glimpse of their population. I will be watching them pour through in the next two months while showing you the highlights whenever I can capture them with my lens. Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
Read MoreMonarch Profile
No matter the wind or the weather the Monarch (Danaus plexippus) butterflies seem to keep on making a decent flight right now. This one provided me a lovely profile shot while feeding on some ever-popular Eastern Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) in a city garden. You can almost feel the texture of those papery wings. I keep appreciating each and every one I find! Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
Read MoreInsects to Birds
It is starting to get darker earlier each day. The sunflowers are growing in height. The insects are peaking, and our bees will be slowing down shortly. For now the flowers are feeding the bugs, but soon enough they will be transitioning to feeding all of the birds pouring down to the south, with the later arriving seed eaters ready to feast on sunflowers right out of the garden. Is it going to be a large irruptive season for the winter finches? While it is too soon to tell for certain, some Red-breasted Nuthatches and Purple Finches seen out of place to the south in a few places late this...
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